Prior to the 1990s, Iraq’s infrastructure was among the best in the Middle East. However, since the mid-1980s, years of conflicts, misdirected resources, and the affects of Iraq’s centralized command economy have stifled economic growth and development, curtailing Iraq’s ability to invest in new infrastructure and maintain existing facilities. Conflicts, looting, and sabotage have also resulted in direct damage to buildings, pipelines, communication equipment, and transportation links. Billing systems and associated revenues that maintain operations have collapsed. Today most Iraqis have limited access to essential basic services, including electricity, water supply, sanitation, and refuse collection. Serious environmental and health risks associated with contaminated water supplies, inappropriate handling of solid waste, and disposal of sewage threaten to further burden the already stressed health system. The concentration of economic and social activities in the main urban centers of Iraq has also led to a proliferation of under-serviced neighborhoods in major Iraqi cities. Iraqi officials are looking for means to quickly restore basic infrastructure services and to improve living conditions. The lack of basic infrastructure services, particularly electricity, has contributed to the general lack of security in various parts of the country.
Civil Works in progress in Badawa as part of the Emergency Water, Sanitation and Urban Reconstruction project (Sept. 2006) Water Supply and Sanitation Sector In an attempt to address the immediate and pressing needs of the Iraqi people and to improve their quality of life, the World Bank is financing two projects, Emergency Water, Sanitation and Urban Reconstruction ($ 110 million), which is being implemented by the Ministry of Municipalities and Public Works (MMPW)and Emergency Baghdad Water Supply and Sanitation ($ 65 million), which is being implemented by the Mayoralty of Baghdad (MOB). These projects has helped facilitate the restoration of basic water supply and sanitation services, and urban services in the poorest areas of Baghdad and nine Governorates throughout Iraq through: (a) reconstruction, rehabilitation and expansion and upgrading of existing facilities; and (b) providing capacity building support through training and technical assistance. The projects will also create vitally needed short-term employment and provide support for the development of Iraq's capacity to manage large-scale reconstruction. There are approximately 5 sub-projects in Baghdad Mayoralty and 12 sub-projects outside Baghdad, spread throughout the nation, thus ensuring geographical coverage and social equitability.
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